Every 2012 GMC Terrain recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 22V137000
Aug 3, 2022Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Full recall details for 22V137000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V502000
May 7, 2016Electrical System:Ignition
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full recall details for 16V502000 →Seats · NHTSA 14V447000
Jul 23, 2014Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
- Risk
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Full recall details for 14V447000 →Tires · NHTSA 11V511000
Oct 19, 2011Tires:Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
- Problem
- GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
- Risk
- UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
- Fix
- GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Full recall details for 11V511000 →
2012 GMC Terrain complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 364 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Terrain, reporting 17 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries. GMC has issued at least 1,842 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine169
- Visibility/Wiper74
- Power Train37
- Unknown Or Other37
- Electrical System32
- Fuel/Propulsion System28
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (754)
- Electrical System (349)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (224)
- Engine (160)
- Power Train (122)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (116)
Read GMC Terrain owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 GMC Terrain
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort
PE20009Opened Jun 1, 2020Closed Jun 3, 2022
- Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
EA19005Opened Dec 13, 2019Closed Nov 28, 2022
- Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
RQ18002Opened Nov 2, 2018Closed Dec 19, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 364 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Terrain. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“My 4 cyl. AWD GMC Terrain has had excessive oil use which caused premature failure of the timing chain, loss of power/compression, blown engine, damage to exhaust manifold, cellinoids, and melted the catalytic converter. Its was a road safety, poor emissions due to failed catalytic converter.”
2012 GMC TERRAINJan 24, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11567406
Injury reported
“My lift gate has been failing since i bought it used from a local dealership. It's closed down on my mom's leg when she was situating luggage that she'd put in.”
2012 GMC TERRAINSep 3, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11542403
Injury reportedCrash
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF HIM CRASHED. THE CONTACT STATED HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.”
2012 GMC TERRAINSep 8, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11353822
Injury reported
“THE BACK GATE COMES DOWN ON YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT THINGS IN BACK OR TAKE THINGS OUT, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. IT HAS HIT MY HEAD SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING IMMENSE PAIN AND A MIGRAINE. IT STARTED IN JULY OF 2019 AND WAS SLOW AT FIRST. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY..”
2012 GMC TERRAINFeb 25, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11311490
Crash
“ON FEB 10, 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH WHEN A LARGE TRUCK FAILED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AS THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE COLLISION SHOP CALLED TODAY AND STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY IMPACT SENSORS ARE "DEAD".”
2012 GMC TERRAINFeb 18, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11309913
Check your Terrain by VIN
Not every 2012 GMC Terrain is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any GMC dealer.
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